CTIA website shows mobile app data usage

A new website launched by mobile trade group CTIA shows smartphone and tablet users how much data is used by popular apps.

A new website launched by mobile trade group CTIA shows smartphone and tablet users how much data is used by popular apps.

KnowMyApp.org, unveiled by CTIA Thursday, allows mobile device owners to estimate an app's data usage before it's downloaded. This is the first tool allowing consumers to learn about an app's data usage before downloading it, although there are tools available to measure an app's data use after downloading, CTIA said.

CTIA has also aimed KnowMyApp.org at app developers, by giving them information about conserving data usage and minimizing impact to battery life, the trade group said.

Visitors to the website can search by app name, operating system or app categories. They can learn now the app was tested, how much data is used when an app is downloaded, at initialization, during active run time and during background time.

The website also includes information about how mobile device owners can conserve data.

KnowMyApp.org currently includes test results for the top 50 paid and free apps from the Apple and Google stores, and CTIA plans to add more apps each month. The trade group invites developers to submit apps to be tested.

The tool was developed through the CTIA's Application Data Usage Working Group, with members including Apple, AT&T, Ericsson, HTC America, Microsoft, Sprint and Verizon Wireless. Intertek developed the mobile app data usage benchmark testing using the AT&T Application Resource Optimizer, an open-source diagnostic tool that captures, analyzes and reports network app data usage to help developers create more efficient apps.

Grant Gross covers technology and telecom policy in the U.S. government for The IDG News Service. Follow Grant on Twitter at GrantGross. Grant's email address is [email protected]